Velocity Vector Map for Cardiac Rhythm Disorder Source Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic tools for cardiac rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation, lack precision in locating the sources of AF drivers, leading to inadequate treatment and increased morbidity due to insufficient spatial and temporal resolution.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that processes intracardiac electrogram signals to generate a velocity vector map, revealing the location of cardiac rhythm disorder sources by normalizing amplitudes, assigning electrode positions, and creating three-dimensional electrogram surfaces over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the TOPERA system uses a basket catheter with 64 electrodes arranged in an 8x8 pattern, then the system can record electrogram signals and create propagation maps, but the resolution is limited by electrode spacing and cannot detect singularities or distinguish active from passive rotors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D electrogram mapping to 3D velocity vector field mapping, adding temporal dimension through velocity calculations. This dimensional expansion allows detection of rotational singularities and differentiation between active and passive rotors that were invisible in 2D phase maps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter being measured from electrogram amplitude/phase to electrogram time derivative (velocity). This parameter transformation enables detection of wavefront propagation dynamics, including rotational sources and singularities, providing superior diagnostic precision for AF drivers.
2Loss of information
If the TOPERA system performs phase analysis of EGM peaks, then it can identify circular patterns candidate for re-entry, but it cannot determine if the circular EGM wavefront is actively generated by reentry or passively generated by turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through velocity vector analysis that provides information about wavefront propagation direction and rotational dynamics. This feedback mechanism allows differentiation between active rotors (which generate circular wavefronts) and passive rotors (which merely reflect turbulence), resolving the information loss in phase analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the static phase analysis mechanism with a dynamic velocity vector field mechanism. This substitution enables detection of rotational singularities and active rotor identification through velocity patterns, providing comprehensive information about rotor activity that phase analysis cannot provide.
3Measurement precision
If the TOPERA system creates a FIRM map with chess field coordinates, then it can indicate locations of circular patterns, but it does not provide spatial or temporal resolution required to detect singularities associated with active rotor generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by calculating velocity vectors from time-derivative of electrograms and creating dynamic velocity vector maps. This dynamic approach reveals temporal evolution of wavefront propagation and identifies rotational singularities associated with active rotors, providing the required spatial and temporal resolution for precise AF driver detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary velocity field analysis and singularity detection before ablation procedures. This preliminary action identifies precise locations of active rotors and singularities, enabling targeted ablation that improves treatment efficiency by focusing energy on proven driver locations rather than empirical ablation patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods configured to detect a location of a source of at least one cardiac rhythm disorder in a patient's heart. In some embodiments, electrogram signals are acquired from inside a patient's heart, and subsequently normalized, adjusted and/or filtered, followed by generating a two-dimensional (2D) spatial map, grid or representation of the electrode positions, processing the amplitude-adjusted and filtered electrogram signals to generate a plurality of three-dimensional electrogram surfaces corresponding at least partially to the 2 D grid, one surface being generated for each of selected discrete times, and processing the plurality of three-dimensional electrogram surfaces through time to generate a velocity vector map corresponding at least partially to the 2 D grid. The resulting velocity vector map is configured to reveal the location of the source of the at least one cardiac rhythm disorder, which may be, by way of example, an active rotor in a patient's myocardium and atrium.